Frank Lampard’s tactical toolbox: Four formations Chelsea can use

2. 4-2-3-1

Potential XI: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell; N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic; Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic; Timo Werner

The only difference between this formation and the 4-3-3 is Mateo Kovacic comes in for Mount. This changes the shape of the midfield from an inverted triangle to a more normal triangle.

Instead of one player sitting deeper to help the play out from the back, there will be two. Instead of one player behind the play to help switch things, there is two. And when possession is lost, there are generally going to be two players there to sweep/hold instead of the one.

Compared to a 4-3-3, the 4-2-3-1 is naturally more solid and the term often used is “springy”. 4-3-3 is built to build the ball up and rotate between the eights, front three, and occasionally fullbacks. In a 4-2-3-1, that double pivot more often than not stays put and see-saws between itself rather than rotate with anyone. This frees up the wider players to get forward and the band of three to rotate between themselves. The formation, overall, becomes more direct because it bogs itself down in possession faster. It also tends to be better suited to press earlier. Because there are two players prepared to sweep/hold, the players ahead of them can get more aggressive in the press.

The directness but added defensive solidarity is what makes the formation better suited for opponents that are looking to press Chelsea rather than sit off of them. Kovacic is Chelsea’s most press resistant player and he does well in a double pivot compared to Mount. That allows the Blues to survive an opponent’s press while also being able to take advantage of the space the opponent creates when pushing up.

In theory, this would be the go to formation and lineup for an opponent like Liverpool or Manchester City, but high pressing sides like Leeds would also have a harder time against this shape than the 4-3-3.